34 arrested in Brunswick drug warrant sweep

A Brunswick County deputy walks a handcuffed Meiko Perry, of Winnabow, to a patrol car outside Perry's Central Boulevard home Wednesday morning. Perry was arrested on obstructing charges after refusing to open the door to officers serving an arrest warrant on his girlfriend during operation Christmas Crackdown a warrant sweep Wednesday Dec. 5, 2012.

Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:39 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:39 a.m.

Nearly three dozen people who allegedly sold drugs to undercover police informants in the last three months were arrested Wednesday in Brunswick County during a sheriff's office warrant sweep.

Dubbed operation Christmas Crackdown, the roundup targeted 34 people recently indicted by a Brunswick County grand jury on charges ranging from possession of marijuana to sales of cocaine and firearms.

Lt. Israel West, head of the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office Vice/Narcotics Unit, said the department has conducted several such roundups in recent years.

"We do it to target street-level to mid-level dealers," he said.

Because the buyers were working undercover for police, the people jailed Wednesday had no idea a warrant had been issued for their arrest.

Among the wanted was Tiffani Compton, 28, of Winnabow, indicted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute marijuana and sales/distribution of marijuana. She also had warrants for possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

When agents pounded on the door of her Central Boulevard home just before 8 a.m., the racket woke Compton and her boyfriend, Meiko Perry. Seeing clearly through the glass pane who was on the other side, Perry refused to allow police in.

"Open the door, I got a warrant for her arrest," an undercover agent ordered repeatedly. "Open the door or we're going to kick it in."

When Perry still refused, an agent began kicking the front door to gain entry. Someone inside opened the side door.

A short time later, a handcuffed Perry, 30, was brought out on a charge of obstructing.

He was followed by a quiet and tearful Compton. The couple's sleepy-eyed but smiling 12-month-old son, whom police say was present when Compton allegedly sold the informant weed, was turned over to the custody of Perry's grandmother, who lives across the road.

Alisha Deans, 23, wanted for allegedly selling pills to an informant, proved a little more elusive.

When no one answered at her Lakes Circle address in Bolivia, officers began making phone calls. Deans was eventually found at a friend's house at the Cloverleaf Mobile Home Park in Leland.

"They have you on video," an agent replied. Deans also allegedly made the sale while her children milled about.

During the seven-hour operation 35 people were jailed, including four who had allegedly interfered with the arrest of a loved one or who crossed the path of officers while possessing drugs or paraphernalia

"Everybody knows by now that we're coming for them," said Sheriff John Ingram during the pre-sweep briefing. "They expect it every year."

According to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, the following people are still outstanding:

Brenden Emmerson, 27, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule one controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule one controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Damian Allen Burney, 20, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute marijuana, sales/distribution of marijuana.

James Chris Bunting, 39, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule four controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule four controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeremy Hunsucker, 28, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule two controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule two controlled substance.

Orrey Palmer Clemmons, 25, on a charge of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery.

Wanda Watts Johnson, 60, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule three controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule four controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule three controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule four controlled substance and three counts of trafficking a schedule three controlled substance.

<p>Nearly three dozen people who allegedly sold drugs to undercover police informants in the last three months were arrested Wednesday in Brunswick County during a sheriff's office warrant sweep.</p><p>Dubbed operation <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/holidays02"><b>Christmas</b></a> Crackdown, the roundup targeted 34 people recently indicted by a Brunswick County grand jury on charges ranging from possession of marijuana to sales of cocaine and firearms.</p><p>Lt. Israel West, head of the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office Vice/Narcotics Unit, said the department has conducted several such roundups in recent years.</p><p>"We do it to target street-level to mid-level dealers," he said. </p><p>Because the buyers were working undercover for police, the people jailed Wednesday had no idea a warrant had been issued for their arrest.</p><p>Among the wanted was Tiffani Compton, 28, of Winnabow, indicted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute marijuana and sales/distribution of marijuana. She also had warrants for possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. </p><p>When agents pounded on the door of her Central Boulevard home just before 8 a.m., the racket woke Compton and her boyfriend, Meiko Perry. Seeing clearly through the glass pane who was on the other side, Perry refused to allow police in.</p><p>"Open the door, I got a warrant for her arrest," an undercover agent ordered repeatedly. "Open the door or we're going to kick it in."</p><p>When Perry still refused, an agent began kicking the front door to gain entry. Someone inside opened the side door.</p><p>A short time later, a handcuffed Perry, 30, was brought out on a charge of obstructing.</p><p>He was followed by a quiet and tearful Compton. The couple's sleepy-eyed but smiling 12-month-old son, whom police say was present when Compton allegedly sold the informant weed, was turned over to the custody of Perry's grandmother, who lives across the road. </p><p>Alisha Deans, 23, wanted for allegedly selling pills to an informant, proved a little more elusive. </p><p>When no one answered at her Lakes Circle address in Bolivia, officers began making phone calls. Deans was eventually found at a friend's house at the Cloverleaf Mobile Home Park in <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9971"><b>Leland</b></a>.</p><p>Deans vehemently denied being involved in the sale of pills. </p><p>"I don't do that. Ask my mom," she said, seemingly surprised at the warrant.</p><p>"They have you on video," an agent replied. Deans also allegedly made the sale while her children milled about.</p><p>During the seven-hour operation 35 people were jailed, including four who had allegedly interfered with the arrest of a loved one or who crossed the path of officers while possessing drugs or paraphernalia </p><p>"Everybody knows by now that we're coming for them," said Sheriff John Ingram during the pre-sweep briefing. "They expect it every year."</p><p>The following people were jailed on warrants: </p><p>Alisha Deans, 23; Brandon Varnam, 30; Brett Allen Holden, 26; Charles Richard Clark, 45; Chase Daniel Williamson, 23; Christopher Barr, 18; Cristian Lopez, 18; Crystal Yerkie, 28; Deandre Lamar Jenkins, 23; Derek Long, 26; Don Bellamy, 56; Greg Taylor, 35; Heather Jo Stonebrook, 47; Jennifer Leann (Amber) Smith, 27; Jennifer Thompson, 27; Kelly Maness, 35; Kory Medford, 21; Melissa Church Lisk, 43; Nathaniel Balloon, 26; Raja Ronald Lofland, 35; Raychael Grantham, 27; Samuel Robert Fowler, 30; Sean Patrick Clark, 31; Tina Winters, 40; Travis Lamar Stevenson, 29; and Damian Hal Rabon, 17, </p><p>According to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, the following people are still outstanding: </p><p>Brenden Emmerson, 27, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule one controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule one controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. </p><p>Damian Allen Burney, 20, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute marijuana, sales/distribution of marijuana. </p><p>James Chris Bunting, 39, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule four controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule four controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>Jeremy Hunsucker, 28, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule two controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule two controlled substance.</p><p>Orrey Palmer Clemmons, 25, on a charge of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery. </p><p>Wanda Watts Johnson, 60, is wanted on charges of possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule three controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute a schedule four controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule three controlled substance, sales/distribution of a schedule four controlled substance and three counts of trafficking a schedule three controlled substance.</p><p>F.T. Norton: 343-2070</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @FTNorton</p>